temperamental

adjective

ˌtem-p(ə-)rə-ˈmen-tᵊl How to pronounce temperamental (audio)
Definition of temperamentalnext
1
as in moody
frequently influenced by moods and especially bad moods one of those temperamental actresses who can make life difficult for everyone around her

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in volatile
likely to change frequently, suddenly, or unexpectedly stock prices have been pretty temperamental lately, often fluctuating wildly

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Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of temperamental But the temperamental Lanza dropped out after recording his songs, and British actor Edmund Purdom acted his role and mouthed the songs. — ABC News, 26 June 2026 The machine's temperamental nature began to bother her. — Sarah Lyon, The Spruce, 24 June 2026 Ambition meets heart as the temperamental Moon in your 10th House of Career conjoins warrior Mars there, sharpening visibility and focus. — Tarot.com, New York Daily News, 12 June 2026 The weather in Florida during England’s stay thus far has been temperamental. — Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 11 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for temperamental
Recent Examples of Synonyms for temperamental
  1. moody
  2. volatile
  3. impulsive
  4. unpredictable
  5. unstable
Adjective
  • This is a moody, weird, haunting, often beautiful film, punctuated by sudden violence and horror.
    — Erik Kain, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
  • The moody Moon in your 4th House of Home squares combative Mars in your 1st House of Identity, stirring tension between private emotions and personal pride.
    — Tarot.com, The Orlando Sentinel, 17 July 2026
Definition of moody
Adjective
  • Stocks pulled back on Friday , capping off another volatile week.
    — Jeff Marks,Paulina Likos, CNBC, 17 July 2026
  • That’s because wildfire smoke contains gases like nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds, which react in the sun and heat to create ground-level ozone.
    — Kasha Patel, CNN Money, 17 July 2026
Definition of volatile
Adjective
  • Although 58 percent of Gen Z shoppers are just as likely to make impulsive purchases as Millennials (57 percent), Zoomers tend to overspend more annually than their slightly older counterparts, by $541 versus $373, respectively.
    — Roy Stephen Canivel, Footwear News, 14 July 2026
  • In both cases, the act was an impulsive, existential response with no single cause.
    — Sebastian Smee, The Atlantic, 11 July 2026
Definition of impulsive
Adjective
  • The ensemble drama traces the unpredictable shape of grief and family dynamics, aiming for an emotionally candid portrait of loss and the ties that hold communities together.
    — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 17 July 2026
  • In an increasingly unpredictable business environment, executives seek control over their biology through peptides, promising faster recovery and improved performance.
    — Julian Hayes II, Forbes.com, 17 July 2026
Definition of unpredictable
Adjective
  • Ghosh is right to argue that naturalistic narratives are not up to the urgent task of depicting our unstable moment.
    — Robert Rubsam, The Atlantic, 20 July 2026
  • Criminals and dangerously unstable individuals who illegally obtain firearms are.
    — Eric "Doc" Stelnicki, Sun Sentinel, 20 July 2026
Definition of unstable

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Cite this Entry

“Temperamental.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/temperamental. Accessed 22 Jul. 2026.

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More from Merriam-Webster on temperamental

Nglish: Translation of temperamental for Spanish Speakers

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